KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston College (KC) says its investigation into a viral video involving three students has found that two Grade 9 boys were trying to protect a younger student rather than bully or harm him.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed a Grade 7 student in a dangerous position over a stairwell railing while being held by two older students. The footage quickly triggered concern and accusations of bullying online.
However, KC Principal Dave Myrie said the school carried out a comprehensive investigation that included reviewing available video footage, interviewing students and other relevant individuals, examining written reports, speaking with staff and meeting with the students and their parents.
According to the school, the evidence did not show that the Grade 9 students were attacking, intimidating or attempting to hurt the younger boy. KC said its investigation instead found that the two students were attempting to help him and prevent him from being harmed during what the school described as a dangerous situation. The school subsequently commended the students for their actions.
KC also investigated a separate allegation that the Grade 7 student had previously been bullied by another student in his class. The school said it found no evidence supporting that allegation and that no previous bullying complaint involving the student had been reported to the school.
The incident has nevertheless prompted wider discussion about student safety. Fi We Children Foundation has called for stronger anti-bullying protections and questioned whether students have sufficiently accessible and trusted ways to report bullying and other safety concerns.
KC is also urging the public to avoid drawing conclusions from short viral videos before investigations are completed, warning that incomplete footage can lead to students being wrongly accused and publicly labelled.
Question for readers: Do you think people were too quick to judge what was happening based on the viral video alone?
